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Grizzly shocks Lake Louise ski area

A grizzly bear is not something you expect to see while skiing the back slopes of Lake Louise – but that’s exactly what happened when a bruin wandered though the area on Sunday (May 5).

A grizzly bear is not something you expect to see while skiing the back slopes of Lake Louise – but that’s exactly what happened when a bruin wandered though the area on Sunday (May 5).

Parks Canada officials say they were called to the ski hill when a bear meandered through an area near Temple Lodge and by the Larch and Ptarmigan chairlifts, sending a buzz throughout the ski resort.

They say the ski hill was quick to shut down the area for bear and skier safety.

“They moved people out of the area and shut down the whole back side to give the animal space,” said Parks Canada spokesman Omar McDadi. “We are very pleased with how the ski hill handled the situation, with utmost professionalism.”

Stephen Carter, a prominent Alberta-based political campaign strategist, was skiing the last day of the season.

“I didn’t see the bear, but I was on the balcony at Temple Lodge when everybody was evacuated off the lower level,” said Carter. “They moved everybody inside or upstairs.”

Carter said the ski hill closed down the Larch chairlift and was evacuating the area, sending skiers up the Ptarmigan chairlift. “I also didn’t see anybody coming down the Ptarmigan runs so I suspect they were closed,” he said.

Sunday was the last day of the season at Lake Louise, which Sandy Best, director of business development, said was fortunate.

“It was the last day of the year, so we weren’t too busy. We decided to close the area down so he could stretch his legs and move around. Our policy is to take the public away from bears and give them space.”

Best said the grizzly’s appearance is the earliest yet for the ski area and he attributed the visit to a mild winter and unseasonably warm recent weather.

“We’re glad grizzlies have made Lake Louise their home. The ski resort has generated an area where the bears are comfortable. The ski areas are good for berries and bears can quickly move into forest safely when they want to.

“This is the first time we’ve had one wake up this early and impact our operation, but we have a management plan that errs on the side of caution. We want to give the animal time to wake up and enjoy the same weather we’re all enjoying.

“It shows Lake Louise and bears can be in the same area peacefully. In summer, it’s one of few places in Banff National Park where you’re guaranteed to see one of these great creatures in their natural environment.”

McDadi said there was no sign of the grizzly bear by the time human wildlife-conflict specialist Reg Hawryluk arrived.

“By the time he arrived the bear had left the area,” he said. “He followed up and confirmed the tracks were made by a grizzly bear.”

While it’s rare to encounter a grizzly bear at a local ski hill, McDadi said the bear sighting highlights that encounters can happen from time to time.

“It’s a reminder that wildlife can make an appearance anywhere and at any time,” he said.

“It’s one of the challenges and joys of living in a national park and there are relatively few places in world you can have such an experience.”

Parks Canada reminds residents and visitors to the mountain national parks that this is the time of year when bears are out and about after a long winter’s hibernation.

They advise people to carry bear spray at all times and know how to use it, travel in groups, make lots of noise, watch for fresh bear sign, and keep dogs on a leash at all times.

“They can be at lower elevation places, which is typically where we’d expect, but they may also be at higher elevations,” said McDadi. “It’s time to be bear aware.”

Report bear sightings to Banff National Park dispatch at 403-762-1470.


Rocky Mountain Outlook

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